Brief review: management of lupus nephritis–randomized controlled trials: an update

Lupus nephritis leads to significant morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematous. Immunosuppressive agents are recommended in management of Class III, IV and V lupus nephritis. The goals of therapy are to control the disease and to prevent relapse while minimizing side-effects of therapy. Most of the evidences in managements of Class III and IV lupus nephritis comes from randomized controlled trials using intravenous cyclophosphamides, oral mycophenolate mofetil and oral azathioprine. In Class V lupus nephritis, there are few studies available and they have assessed the use of intravenous cyclophsophamide, oral mycophenolates mofetil and oral cyclosporine. In this review article, we have summarized the major randomized controlled trials in managements of Class III, IV and V lupus nephritis and offer an interpretation of the evidence to date.